Page 1667 - Politics
Odisha Lokayukta to be functional by April 8
The Odisha government on Monday informed the Supreme Court that the Lokayukta in the state will start functioning by April 8 this year.
Had Lokpal been implemented, Modi would be 'number one
Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have been "number one accused" in the Rafale issue had the Lokpal law been implemented, the Congress on Monday claimed as the opposition targeted the government in Lok Sabha on the fighter jet deal. If anybody has to be held guilty in Rafale deal, "it is the PM and PM alone", Congress leader Veerappa Moily said launching a scathing attack on Modi and the Union government during a discussion on the interim budget. Trinamool Congress' (TMC) Saugata Roy claimed the Rafale issue has "exposed the chinks" in the government's armour. It has proved the government is no longer incorruptible, he said. Citing recent critical media reports on the fighter aircraft deal, Moily alleged that the Rafale issue has become a "household scandal" and that Modi may "escape" his responsibility today but not in the days to come. While the defence budget saw only a paltry increase in absolute terms and the allocation to the sector as percentage of the GDP has ...
SC declines BJP's plea for loudspeakers at its Bengal rallies
In a setback to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Supreme Court on Monday declined its plea challenging the state government order prohibiting the use of loudspeakers during the months of February and March due to school examinations.
Cong likely to finalise LS candidates in Telangana by month
The Congress in Telangana is likely to finalise its candidates for the coming Lok Sabha elections by this month end, party's leader in Legislative Assembly M Bhatti Vikramarka said Monday. "As far as candidates are concerned, Congress is planning to take a decision by the end of this month," he told reporters here. State Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy, AICC incharge for party affairs in Telangana R C Khuntia are on the job and candidates are likely to be finalised as early as possible, said Vikramarka, who recently attended a meeting held by party Chief Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. Asked about alliances, he said the views of party's senior leaders would be taken into account and conveyed to the high command. The party has already invited applications from hopefuls to contest the Lok Sabha elections and many applications have already been received, Vikramarka said. Gearing up for the Lok Sabha polls after a shock defeat in the state Assembly polls, Congress is holding ..
Naidu's daylong fast becomes centre-stage for show of opposition unity
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's daylong fast demanding special status for his state on Monday became a rallying point for the opposition, which got together for the second time in less than a month to present a united front against the government. Bringing state issues on a central stage, a series of opposition leaders made a beeline for Andhra Bhavan, where Naidu staged his protest. Those who met Naidu included former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, National Congress chairperson Farooq Abdullah, NCP's Majeed Memon, Trinamool Congress' Derek O' Brien, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, Loktantrik Janata Dal's Sharad Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. The last time the parties came together the same way was on January 19, when 22 opposition parties supported West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her agitation against the CBI's alleged misconduct. The TDP president is demanding that ...
J&K guv dismisses criticism of his 'political' remarks
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has dismissed the criticism by the PDP and the NC over his "political" statements, saying he was presenting the viewpoint of the "President's government in New Delhi". Last week, Malik rejected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti's demand for action against an Army officer accused of torturing and threatening a civilian, saying she didn't need to be taken seriously and he stood by the security forces. Objecting to his remarks, the PDP and the National Conference had accused the governor of "taking sides brazenly" and "unnecessary interference in politics" respectively. "Is the Governor's House only meant for playing golf all the time? The Governor's House is the representative of the President and there is President's government in New Delhi I represent that government and I have to put forth its viewpoint," Malik told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Reasi district's Katra township on Saturday. "If you abuse the ...
Govt failed to solve unemployment problem, says AIADMK
The AIADMK on Monday said the central government failed to address the unemployment problem and also attacked it over demonetisation and implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Participating in the discussion on interim budget in Lok Sabha, Thambidurai, AIADMK leader and also the Deputy Speaker, said the Centre is yet to release more than Rs 10,000 crore in arrears to Tamil Nadu. With the GST, money has been taken away from states, Thambidurai said and urged the government to release the arrears. In cooperative federalism system, the Centre should respect the feelings of the states, he noted. He wondered what has been achieved by demonetisation and said that "most small businesses" were completely affected. Demonetisation completely destroyed the informal industry, he alleged. In November 2016, the government had cancelled old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes as legal tenders. "The government has failed to solve unemployment problem," Thambidurai said, adding ...
Saudi Arabia don't know where slain Khashoggi's body is: senior official
The Saudi authorities does not know what happened to the corpse of Jamal Khashoggi, a senior minister has said, amid reports that the dismembered body of the dissident journalist was "dissolved" after his brutal murder inside the Kingdom's consulate in Turkey. Saudi Arabia has admitted that Khashoggi's killing on October 2 in Istanbul was premeditated and carried out by a group of men in the inner circle of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Washington Post, for which Khashoggi used to write, has reported that the Central Intelligence Agency has concluded that Salman "ordered" the killing. But Riyadh denies that the crown prince had any involvement in the killing of 59-year-old Khashoggi, who was once a Saudi government insider, but had gone into self-imposed exile in the US. He had become an outspoken critic of the country's powerful Crown Prince Salman. The dissident journalist was dismembered after his murder in October in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul but his remains have yet
Fear of 'tax terrorism' gone during NDA rule: Jayant Sinha
Lauding the government's performance on the economic front, Union Minister Jayant Sinha on Monday said tax to GDP ratio rose and the fear of "tax terrorism" was gone during its tenure. After demonetisation, the tax compliance increased during 2017-18, the Minister of State in the Civil Aviation Ministry said while intervening during the debate on the interim Budget in Lok Sabha. Taking a dig at the UPA, he said earlier the development of country was at the pace of a cycle, but under the NDA government it was moving at the speed of an aeroplane or a rocket. If the last four budgets were cakes, then this Budget is the iceing on the cake, Sinha, who was earlier a junior minister in the Ministry of Finance, said. The Minister said that there has been change in the behavioural economics in the country. "The tax to GDP ratio has increased from 10 per cent during the UPA rule to 12 per cent under our government," he said. "Our taxation system has simplified and become more ...
Vadra urges people to keep Priyanka safe
Robert Vadra on Monday urged people for safety of Priyanka Gandhi, his wife and Congress General Secretary, saying the political atmosphere is "vindictive and vicious".
Jharkhand Minister's letter to Amit Shah embarrasses BJP
A letter written by Jharkhand Food and Supply Minister Saryu Rai to party President Amit Shah has embarrassed the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.
BJP MP says Priyanka wears jeans in Delhi and sari in rural areas; is slammed for sexist remark
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wears jeans in Delhi but a sari and sindoor in rural areas, BJP MP Harish Dwivedi has said in a remark condemned as sexist and misogynistic. A video clip of the BJP MP from Basti in Uttar Pradesh making the comments on Sunday evening has been circulated widely on social media. "Priyanka Gandhi wears jeans and top in Delhi but when she comes to rural areas she is clad in a sari and wears sindoor," Dwivedi told reporters in his constituency, a day before she visited Lucknow for the first time after taking over as Congress general secretary. "For BJP or for me, Priyanka Gandhi is not an issue as Rahul Gandhi is already a failure and Priyanka will also prove to be a failure soon," he added. Congress leader M Veerappa Moily and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti were among those who criticised him for his anti-women remarks. "I strongly condemn sexist & inappropriate remarks made by @BJP4India MP Harish Dwivedi on Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. BJP .
Mamata to leave for Delhi tomorrow to take part in opposition
TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will leave for New Delhi Tuesday to participate in the mega rally of non-BJP leaders convened by Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) on February 13 against the Narendra Modi government. She is likely to be in New Delhi till Thursday, a TMC leader said Monday. "As per the schedule Banerjee will leave for New Delhi on February 12 and attend the opposition rally convened by AAP on February 13. She will also meet leaders of various opposition parties," the leader said. AAP's 'Tanashahi Hatao, Desh Bachao' (Remove Dictatorship, Save Country) rally will be organised at Jantar Mantar on February 13 and all parties which had attended the January 19 mega opposition rally called by Banerjee will be present in it. Congress is, however, unlikely to participate in the AAP rally that will be attended by Telugu Desam Party chief, Chandrababu Naidu. Naidu is holding a day-long fast in Delhi Monday demanding that the Centre fulfil all promises
Govt to table CAG report on Rafale deal in Parliament Tuesday
The government is scheduled to table the CAG report on Rafale jet fighter deal, which has generated a massive political controversy, in Parliament Tuesday, sources said. The government's decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from French company Dassault has become a controversial political issue, with the main opposition party Congress levelling allegations of corruption and impropriety, and the ruling dispensation defending the move. The CAG report will be tabled on Tuesday, a day before the end of the present Lok Sabha session. This is the last session of the 16th Lok Sabha as the general elections are due in April-May. Former minister and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday alleged conflict of interest and asked the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Rajiv Mehrishi to recuse himself from auditing the deal as he was the finance secretary when the deal was negotiated. Union Minister Arun Jaitley, however, rebutted the claims of Sibal saying that the Congress was casting .
AAP to launch 'Your MLA and councillor at your doorstep' campaign from Feb 15
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party will launch a campaign -- "Your MLA and Councillor at your doorstep" -- from February 15 to step up attack against the BJP-led government at the Centre ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai told reporters that party legislators and corporators will interact with people and request them to throw the Modi government out of power during the campaign. He said the AAP will host a mega rally of opposition parties against the "dictatorial" central government at Jantar Mantar on February 13. "The AAP will intensify its fight against the Modi-Shah duo in Delhi after the February 13 rally. We will launch 'Your MLA and Councillor at your doorstep' campaign for the Lok Sabha elections from February 15," Rai said. Asked whether the Congress has been sent an invite for the mega February 13 show, he said all those who had participated in the rally organised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last month have been invited. "Invitation
Thai princess disqualified from list of candidates for PM
Thai Princess Ubolratana was on Monday formally disqualified for running for prime minister, ending her brief and ill-fated political union with a party allied to the powerful Shinawatra clan, just days after a stern royal command rebuking her candidacy was issued by her brother, the king. Uncertainty and conjecture have coursed through Thailand since Friday when the Thai Raksa Chart party made the explosive announcement of Princess Ubolratana, King Maha Vajiralongkorn's elder sister, as their candidate for premier after the March 24 election. Her tilt appeared to some to be a masterstroke of back-room dealings by Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire self-exiled ex-premier, just weeks before the poll. But just hours later it fell apart. A royal command from the king put a pin in her unprecedented political aspirations, insisting the monarchy was above politics and describing his sister's candidacy as "highly inappropriate". Thailand's incredibly wealthy and powerful monarchy is ...
Priyanka roars into UP with roadshow to enthuse Cong workers
Making her political debut as Congress general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi on Monday roared into Uttar Pradesh with thousands cheering as her cavalcade slowly made its way through the city during a roadshow, being seen as launch of the party's campaign in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Accompanied by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and incharge of the western region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the beaming 47-year-old sported a kurta and a stole, and waved at the teeming party workers jostling for a glimpse. "Come, let's build a new future, new politics with me. Thank you," she said in her message to the people ahead of the visit to the state. When the three leaders embarked on a roughly 25-km-long roadshow, from the airport to the party headquarters, to woo voters in the Lok Sabha polls, rose petals and marigold garlands were showered at their cavalcade. As her 'rath' inched through major thoroughfares, enthusiastic people and party members took vantage positions to click a prized .
J&K government sets up committee to examine state toll tax
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday constituted a committee to examine the extent of state toll tax charged at the Lakhanpur toll post in Kathua district on entry of goods into the state.
'Chowkidaar', not national security important for BJP: Mayawati
BSP leader Mayawati on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of giving himself self-importance at the cost of national security.
Congress stages walkout from LS over MLA poaching in Karnataka
The Congress on Monday created a ruckus in the Lok Sabha and staged a walkout over alleged attempts to poach their MLAs in Karnataka, a charge that was rejected by the Centre, calling it an "internal fight" between the ruling Congress and the JD-S.